Geraint Thomas will not race with the same intensity at the Tour Down Under as he did last year.

He was successful last year, with a stage win, 3rd on GC and 3 days in the leaders jersey.

He will share leadership duties with Richie Porte, who will target GC and Thomas plans to use the race as build up to the Classics.

"I would love to go and maybe get a stage win, or be up there again on general classification," he told teamsky.com. "[But] for me there isn't quite as much emphasis on it this year. Especially with Richie going, that gives us another string to our bow. I am just looking to race hard and take an opportunity if it comes. Last year I was thinking about it a bit more, but this time I have got other goals on the horizon just after."

Sky’s failure to win a classic last year was well documented and Thomas feels that even if he is in the best form of his season during the Classics, it will all be down to chance whether he or his teammates can finally win one.

"You need a bit of luck and a good run, then at the end you see what you have got. That is what is so bad and so good about the Classics. It is that one chance you have got and then it is over again for a year. That is what makes the Classics special."

Thomas is keen to return to the Tour as well, considering it begins on British soil "It is the biggest race of the year," he said. "To be in a team that has won it now is just unbelievable. It is something I never thought I would be a part of to be honest. I would love to go back, especially with it starting in the UK. Those three days are just going to be incredible.